Intermetallic PdAg nanoparticles supported on Bi<inf>2</inf>MoO<inf>6</inf> nanoplates and their enhanced photocatalytic activities

Abstract

Intermetallic PdAg nanoparticles with different atomic ratios of Pd and Ag were supported on Bi2MoO6 nanoplates by photoreduction method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The intermetallic PdAg nanoparticles with size of 10–12 nm were supported on the orthorhombic Bi2MoO6 nanoplates. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were evaluated through the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) illuminated with visible radiation. The heterostructure 5% Pd0.8Ag0.2/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites have the highest decolorization efficiency in degrading of RhB molecules. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the acceleration in the rate of charge separation and charge diffusion efficiency. Main active radicals for the photodegradation and stability of the photocatalyst were also investigated.